Holy Martyr Melitina (+138–161)

The holy Martyr Melitina lived in the city of Marcianopolis in the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius (138–161). She was a devout Christian, and for her unwearying zeal the Lord granted her the gift of working miracles. By the power of prayer the blessed one shattered the idols of Apollo and Heracles. Her fervent preaching converted many pagans to the law of Christ, among them the wife of the governor of the city of Marcianopolis. When the governor learned of this, he brought Saint Melitina to trial and sentenced her to be beheaded. Acacius of Macedonia, who was travelling home, reverently took the martyr’s body with him, meaning to bury it in Macedonia, but on the way he fell ill and died. The ship put in at the island of Lemnos. Saint Melitina was committed to the earth there. Acacius was buried beside her.